Automatic fence post planter



Jan. 1, 1957 o. o. HOISTAD AUTOMATIC FENCE POST PLANTER Filed June 24', 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet l v INVENTOR. Oscar 0.139252%:

' ATTEI RN EYs Jan. 1, 1957 o. o. HOISTAD 2,775,110

AUTOMATIC FENCE POST PLANTER Filed June 24, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheei 2 I N V EN TOR.

Oscar 0. 7 /0116 fad mm R m mm m) ATTIVJRNEYS Jan. 1, 1957 o. o. HOISTAD 2,775,110

AUTOMATIC FENCE POST PLANTER Filed June 24, 1954 :5 Sheets-Sheet s z I 18 A 69 y w INVENTOR.

-oscar afloz'siad ATTD RN EYS United States Patent AUTOMATIC FENCE POST PLANTER fiscal O. Hoistad, Pasadena, Calif.

Application June 24, 1954, Serial No. 438,959

7 Claims. (Cl. 254-49) This invention relates to machines for driving fence posts into the ground, and in particular, a platform mounted on wheels and having a carrier longitudinally slidabie therein whereby fence posts delivered to the carrier are driven into the ground by a cam which also drives anchoring rods into the ground to retain the carrier with the post-driving elements thereon stationary until the post is driven into the ground whereby the platform is adapted to move continuously forward as posts are driven at spaced points.

The purpose of this invention is to provide mechanical means for spacing and driving fence posts whereby with a machine traveling at constant speed posts are driven at equal distances apart and in a straight line.

Various types of machines have been provided for driving fence posts, stakes, and the like, however, with conventional devices of this type, it is necessary for the machine to stop as each post is driven and the stopping and starting consume considerable time. With this thought in mind, this invention contemplates a mechanically operated fence-post driving machine in which a post carrier mounted on the machine stops and is anchored in a stationary position, sliding rearwardly in the machine as the machine moves forwardly whereby the post-driving elements are adapted to be retained in a stationary position until a post is driven to its final position.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a fence-post driving machine that is adapted to drive posts at equi-distant points as the machine moves forward continuously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fencepost driving machine in which the driving elements are snapped back to positions for receiving another post after one post is driven.

A further object of the invention is to provide a fencepost driving machine which is of a simple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in View, the invention embodies a substantially horizotally disposed platform mounted on wheels and having steering elements at one end, a carrier slidably mounted in the platform, springs connected to the platform and carrier for resiliently urging the carrier to a post-receiving position, a cross bar having rods with pointed ends depending from ends thereof and adapted to move downwardly with the rods providing anchors in the ground below the machine, a cam for urging the cross bar with the rods downwardly, resilient means for urging the cross bar upwardly, a U-shaped arm carried by the cross bar and positioned to drive posts into the ground below the machine, and means for holding and positioning posts in the path of the ti-shaped arm, whereby with downward movement of the arm by the cam the posts are driven into the ground.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein: V

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the improved fence-post driving machine with part of one side of the 2,776,110 Patented Jan. 1, 1957 ice machine broken away showing a longitudinal section through the intermediate part of the machine.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the machine.

Figure 3 is a cross section through the machine taken on line 3--3 of Figure 1 illustrating the cam and cross bar for driving the anchoring rods and posts into the ground.

Figure 4 is a cross section through the intermediate part of the machine taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1 and showing the post-retaining elements.

Figure 5 is a detail showing a longitudinal section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3 illustrating the post-driving and anchoring elements with the elements shown in full lines in the position of receiving a post and in broken lines in a position of driving a post.

Figure 6 is a sectional plan taken on line 6-6 of Figure 1 showing the cross bar mounting rails or guides.

Figure 7 is a plan view of a disc taken on line 77 of Figure 5, the disc being provided with spaced notches which are positioned to receive posts for carrying the posts to driving positions.

Figure 8 is a detail showing one of the posts with an anchoring element spaced from the lower pointed end thereof.

Figure 9 is a detail illustrating springs on the sides of the platform of the machine for retaining the carrier to the position of receiving another post. v

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, the improved fence-post driving machine of this invention includes a frame 10 having side walls 11 and 12, a platform 13 mounted to travel longitudinally in rails 14 and 15, a postretaining disc 16 mounted on a vertically disposed shaft 17 and a cam 18 positioned to drive a cross bar 19 with anchoring rods 20 and 21 depending from ends thereof downwardly and also adapted to drive a U-shaped arm 22 connected to the cross bar at one side and positioned with the opposite side adapted to drive a post, such as the post 23, downwardly into the soil.

The frame 10 is mounted on rear wheels 24 and 25 and front wheels 26 and 27, axles of the front wheels being pivotally connected to the frame with knuckles 28 and 29, respectively, and the knuckles being connected to a tongue 30 through a yoke having a cross bar 31 and side bars 32 and 33, such parts being conventional. The cross bar 31 is pivotally connected to the tongue 30 with a bolt 34 and the tongue is pivotally connected to the frame with a pin 35. The trailing end of the frame is provided with a beam 36 and a strap 37 is extended across the rails 14 and 15 to provide a stop for the carrier 13. A similar bar 38 is provided at the forward end and a vertically disposed post 39 which extends upwardly from the forward part of the frame is secured to the bar 38 with bolts 40.

The upper end of the post 39 is provided with an arm 41 in the extended end of which the shaft 17 is carried and, as illustrated in Figure 1, the post-carrying disc 16 is carried on the lower end of the shaft 17 and freely mounted between collars 41 and 42. The collar 42 and disc 16 are retained on the lower end of the shaft 17 with a nut 43 that is threaded on the lower end of the shaft. The shaft 17 is also provided with an arm 44 which extends from a hub 45 and a post-carrying cradle 46 is pivotally mounted by a pin 47 in the extended end of the arm.

The lower end of the cradle 46 is provided with a transversely disposed bar 48 that is provided with an arcuate face 49 upon which a post rests and the upper end of the cradle is provided with a yoke 569 having upwardly extended arms which are positioned to be engaged by a U-shaped bracket 51 that is secured by bolts 3 52 to a wall 53 connecting the tracks or guides 54 and 55 into which the ends of the cross bar 19 extend.

One section 56, of the U-shaped arm 22, is secured to the cross bar 19, as shown in Figure 5, and the other section 57 is positioned to engage the upper end of a post 23 with the post positioned between the U-shaped guides 58 and 597 The wall 53 is provided with a bracket 60 having an opening 61 therethrough and a section 57 of the arm 22 is free to slide vertically in the opening 61. The bracket 60 is secured to the wall 53 with a support 62, also as shown in Figure 5.

The ends of the cross bar 19 are free to slide in the guides 54 and 55 and as the cross bar is forced downwardly by the cam 18, which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 63, the rods 20 and 21 are driven into the ground providing anchoring means for the platform 13. Springs 64 and 65, positioned around the rods 20 and 21, urge the cross bar 19 upwardly against the surface of the cam. The shaft 63 on which the cam is mounted is rotatably mounted in a bearing 66 positioned on the bracket 6% and the extended end of tthe shaft is provided with a sprocket 67 over which a chain 68 is trained whereby the cam is adapted to be rotated by suitable power means.

Upon rotation of the cam 13, the cross bar and arm 22 are driven downwardly with the lower pointed ends of the rods 20 and 21 entering the soil to provide anchoring means and with the lower end of the section 57 of the arm 22 driving a post, such as the post 23, downwardly into the soil.

As illustrated in Figure 8, the posts are provided with hubs 69 and the wings 70 extended from the hubs provide means for anchoring the posts in the ground.

Posts carried in a hopper or bin 71 are positioned in notches 72 of the disc 16 and with the disc turned so that one of the posts is in alignment with the guides 58 and 59. The return movement of the carrier causes the bracket 51 to engage the yoke 50 extended upwardly from the cradle 46 whereby the cradle is tilted to the position shown in Figure with the lower sharp end of the post entering an area 73 between the guides 58 and 59. in this position the wings 70 on the sides of the posts drop into guides 74 and 75 and as the machine continues to move forwardly with the rods 29 and 21 anchoring the platform 13 in the ground a spring 76 snaps the carriage 46 back to the position indicated by the broken lines 77 in Figure 5 whereby the post is positioned to receive the lower end of the section 57 of the arm 22. The guides 74 and 75 are provided with sloping surfaces, as indicated by the numeral 78, whereby the pointed lower ends of the posts slide downwardly into the area 73 between the guides 58 and 59.

The platform 13 is provided with a slot 79 that is positioned to permit the carrier to pass over a post after the post is driven into the ground with the section 57 of the arm 22 and after the springs 64 and 65 have withdrawn the anchoring pins or rods 20 and 21.

The platform 13 is provided with rollers 3t and 81 on one side and 82 and 83 on the other and, as illustrated in Figure 3, the rollers are positioned to travel in elongated slots of the rails 14 and 15. The rails 14 and are provided with upper and lower sections, the numerals 14 and 15 indicating the upper sections and the lower sections, which are indicated by the numerals 84 and 85, are provided with slots 86 and 87, respectively, the upper sections being provided with similar slots, as indicated by the numerals 88 and 89. The platform is returned, or urged toward the position for receiving another post, by springs 9t and 91 that are attached to the side walls 11 and 12 with eye bolts 92 and 93, respectively, and that are connected, at their opposite ends, by eyes 94 and 95 to the sides of the carrier. The springs extend through slots 96 and 97 between the upper and lower sections of the rails.

In use the improved fence-post driving machine of this invention is towed or driven along a fence row and fence posts, contained in the bin 71, are positioned in the slots 72 of the disc 16 and as one post is drawn rearwardly and driven into the ground another post is positioned whereby upon the return movement of the platform 13 by the springs 90 and 91 the bracket 51 engages the upwardly extended arms of the yoke 50 kicking the lower end of the post through the guide members 74 and whereby the post is positioned to be engaged by the section 57 of the arm 22.

With the rotation of the cam 18 timed to correspond with the movement of the posts, the anchoring rods 20 and 21 are inserted into the ground whereby the platform 13 travels rearwardly in the frame of the machine or remains stationary in relation to the ground as the driving operation of the post is completed. Upon completion of the driving operation of the posts, the cam returns to the position shown in Figure 3 whereby the springs 64 and 65 return the cross bar 19 and anchoring rods 20 and 21 to the upper positions whereby the platform is free and the springs and 91 draw the platform forwardly in the platform completing a cycle of operation.

It will be understood that modifications, within the scope of the appended claims, may be made in the design and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Although the device is disclosed and described as being particularly adapted for driving fence posts, it may also be used for driving posts for barbed wire entanglements, such as used by the Armed Forces, and it may also be used for other purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. A post-driving machine comprising a frame mounted on wheels, a platform slidably mounted in said frame, vertically disposed post-retaining guides positioned on said platform, means for anchoring the platform positioned on the platform, and a cam rotatably mounted on the carrier and engaging said anchoring means to actuate the anchoring means and means on said anchoring means engaging a post to drive the post in said postretaining guides upon actuation of said anchoring means.

2. A post-driving machine comprising a frame mounted on wheels, a platform slidably mounted in said frame, vertically disposed post-retaining guides positioned on said platform, means for driving a post from said guides through the frame and into the ground upon which the machine is positioned, means for anchoring the platform positioned on the platform, a cam rotatably mounted on the platform and engaging the anchoring means to actuate the anchoring means, and means for actuating said post-driving means by said anchoring means.

3. A post-driving machine comprising a frame mounted on wheels, a platform slidably mounted in said frame, vertically disposed post-retaining guides positioned on said platform, means for driving a post from said guides through the frame and into the ground upon which the machine is positioned, means for anchoring the platform positioned on the platform, a cam rotatably mounted on the platform and engaging the anchoring means to actuate the anchoring means, said cam actuating said postdriving means and said anchoring means simultaneously during forward movement of said machine and resilient means for moving the platform after the post is driven into the ground and said anchoring means has been released.

4. A post-driving machine comprising a frame mounted on wheels, vertically disposed post-retaining guides positioned on said frame, a horizontally disposed disc having spaced post-receiving notches in the periphery rotatably mounted on said frame, means for feeding posts from said disc to said post-retaining guides, spaced vertically disposed channel-shaped guides also extended upwardly from said frame, a cross bar slidably mounted in said channel-shaped guides, anchoring rods depending from the ends of said cross bar, spring positioned on said anchoring rods for elevating the cross bar and rods, a cam rotatably mounted on the frame and engaging the cross bar to actuate the cross bar, a U-shaped arm extended from the cross bar and positioned to engage upper ends of posts in said post-retaining guides, means in the frame whereby said post-retaining guides, channel-shaped guides, and cam are adapted to slide longitudinally therein and resilient means for returning the elements slidably mounted in the frame to a post-receiving position at the forward end of the frame.

5. In a fence-post driving machine, the combination which comprises a frame mounted on wheels, a platform mounted to slide longitudinally in said frame, a horizontally disposed disc having spaced post-receiving notches in the periphery rotatably mounted on said frame, vertically disposed post-retaining guides positioned on said platform, means for feeding posts from notches of the disc to said post-retaining guides, a cross bar positioned on the platform, vertically disposed cross barretaining guides also positioned on the platform, anchoring rods having pointed lower ends depending from the cross bar and postioned in said cross bar-retaining guides, a cam rotatably mounted on the platform and engaging the cross bar to actuate the cnoss bar, and means extended from the cross bar and positioned to drive a post in said post-retaining guides upon downward movement of the cross bar by the cam.

6. In a fence-post driving machine, the combination which comprises a frame mounted on wheels, a platform mounted to slide longitudinally in said frame, a horizontally disposed disc having spaced post-receiving notches in the periphery rotatably mounted on said frame, vertically disposed post-retaining guides positioned on said platform, means for feeding posts from notches of the disc to said post-retaining guides, a cross bar positioned on the platform, vertically disposed cross bar-retaining guides also positioned on the platform, anchoring rods having pointed lower ends depending from the cross bar and positioned in said cross bar-retaining guides, a cam rotatably mounted on the platform and engaging the cross bar to actuate the cross bar and a U-shaped arm ex tended upwardly from said cross bar and positioned with one end thereof adapted to engage the upper end of a post in said post-retaining guides.

7. In a fence-post driving machine, the combination which comprises a frame mounted on wheels, a platform mounted to slide longitudinally in said frame, a horizontally disposed disc having spaced post-receiving notches in the periphery rotatably mounted on said frame, vertically disposed post-retaining guides positioned on said platform, means for feeding posts from notches of the disc to said post-retaining guides, a cross bar positioned on the platform, vertically disposed cross bar-retaining guides also positioned on the platform, anchoring rods having pointed lower ends depending from the cross bar and positioned in said cross bar-retaining guides, a cam rotatably mounted on the platform and engaging said cross bar to actuate the cross bar, a U-shaped arm extended upwardly from said cross bar and positioned with one end thereof adapted to engage the upper end of a post in said post-retaining guides and springs positioned on the sides of the frame and connected to the platform for resiliently returning the platform to a position for receiving another post after one post is driven.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,776,798 Sloan Sept. 30, 1930 2,551,896 Notestein May 8, 1951 2,683,019 Saunders July 6, 1954 

